I got this recipe from a friend and converted it to be gluten-free. I really didn’t make any other changes, it doesn’t need any. YUM! What a great combo of flavors! The carrot & coconut keep these nice & moist, as does the sour cream.

I was driving down the street today to return a book to the library that was overdue. That is nothing new for me. I can’t seem to return these things on time. I just can’t do it. No matter how hard I try. Anyway, I was in my own little world when I looked over the to left and see a sign on the side of the street that said “Bakery Open ~ Gluten-Free Available”! WHAT? Am I seeing things? I couldn’t stop then because I was going the opposite way, but I was definitely hitting that place on my way back.

Holiday Baking Company in Worthington, Ohio. That is the name of my new found love. Yes, I bake my own GF stuff and enjoy doing so, but just the idea of knowing that there is someplace out there that could do it for me, if needed, is so comforting! Over 3 years gluten-free, and I have yet to find a local bakery that does gluten-free baking. I went in and spoke with the Proprietor, Lisa. Lisa explained how they do the gluten-free baking on alternate days from the regular baking so they can avoid cross-contamination. Then, as soon as the baked items are cooled, they are wrapped up and placed on the top shelf in the display case to avoid potential cross-contamination from the gluten-filled baked goods. I was impressed with the selection. I purchased a lemon bar and a cappuccino chocolate chip muffin. I had to hold myself back to save these for when Jon got home from school.

The taste test. YUM! I had a small bite of the muffin and it was excellent. The lemon bar was all I expected it to be and more. Jon ooohed and aaahhed over the treats. It is definitely someplace I will be frequenting again and possibly getting larger cakes for functions when I don’t have time to make my own.

Thank you, Lisa, for making a safe product for those of us who have to follow such a strict diet. We appreciate it. 🙂

Aaron is an awesome cook! He makes the best garlic mashed potatoes. When we have people over, they hope to take home leftovers! :) He also makes a mean meatball. He is very cautious to keep the gluten-filled pasta away from the gluten-free pasta. He makes the meatballs completely gluten-free. He uses breadcrumbs, usually the Ener-G brand, but this last time he just put some Pamela’s bread in the blended & made his own. I am not sure what he puts in the meatballs, other than some Italian spices and lots of love. :) He used to make normal size meatballs, but the past few times he has made the biggest, moistest meatballs E.V.E.R! They were heaven in a ball! They were so big that I was only able to eat 1! Jon had 2, but didn’t have any pasta with his. He went straight for the good stuff.

Unfortunately, I don’t have a recipe to share for these. I can tell you he makes the meatballs & then cooks them right in the sauce, which is usually Prego Three Cheese. They simmer on the stove for an hour or 2, until cooked through. I think this is what keeps them so moist!

These keep well in the fridge and make excellent meatballs sammies, too!

Do you know what that is? That is me sighing in relief. Hockey season is over! Jon will still play in a recreation league in the Spring, but nothing like what he has been doing lately. So now we only have baseball to keep us busy!

Thank God for this company. That is how I am going to start out this post. Since I went gluten-free, over 3 years ago, I have purchased & enjoyed many products from Nature’s Path. First it was the Envirokidz Crispy Rice Bars. I like them all. :) Then I moved onto the Gorilla Munch cereal & the Amazon Flakes (like sweet corn flakes). Then the Panda Puffs and now, the beloved Leapin’ Lemurs, which is the PB Panda Puffs with chocolate puffs in the box too! YUM!!

Just recently I ventured out & tried the Mesa Sunrise cereal and loved it. Not sure why I waited so long to try that. Today I tried the Whole O’s, like Cheerios, but gluten-free. Very impressed. I honestly can’t think of a product by Nature’s Path that I have tried and have not liked. Truly a very reputable company. Their products can be a little on the pricey side, but a lot of that depends on where you buy them and watching for sales. Amazon offers deals on bulk purchases & subscription services. Wal-Mart was spotted selling the Envirokidz bars for $2.49/box of 6. The products are well worth the money, in my opinion. Keep up the good work, Nature’s Path!

Last year when we were in Atlanta over Spring Break, my dear sister’s MIL was kind enough to get Jon & I a bunch of gluten-free goodies. Jennies Coconut Macaroons were included in this bunch of goodies. I was a little scared to try them at first because I have never really been a fan of coconut in the past. However, since going gluten-free, I have learned to have a very open mind and have discovered a lot of new favorites. This product is one of my new favorites! WOW! I was immediately impressed! Who knew I liked coconut? Nancy (my sister’s MIL) must have known. ;)

The best part about these amazing cookies is that they have no allergens in them! No casein, gluten, nuts and no trans-fats or sulfites. Coconut is an extremely healthy food for you. Jennies also makes protein bars high in Omega-3. I was unaware of this until I just went to their website. I will have to look for those at the store.

This product is a definite must-have/must-try if you like coconut. Reminds me a little of the Girl Scout Samoa Cookies that I can no longer have.